Rebecca Winters - The Baby Bombshell - The Billionaire's Baby Swap / Dating for Two / The Valtieri Baby

When the babies started fussing, she fed them and went to the galley to make breakfast. Giovanni loved food. Because of his energy, he didn’t gain weight. A little while later she called him to come and eat.

They ate at the pull-down table while the babies watched from their carry-cots. He acted so happy and was so much fun to be with, she never wanted this vacation to end. When they finished eating, she cleaned up the kitchen while he took the babies up on deck.

Their day turned out to be glorious, but the climb to the castle at the top wore her out. After a delicious fish dinner in the town, it felt good to get back to the cruiser and relax. Before long it was time to feed the babies and put them to bed.

Giovanni flashed her a compelling smile. “Now that we’re alone, how about a game of tressette? Sit on the banquette by me.” He produced a deck of cards.

Valentina eyed him with a smile. “I don’t think I’ve played it.”

“I’ll teach you.”

Once they got going, she didn’t want to stop. “I’m going to beat you if it kills me!” But she never did and he chuckled with absolute glee. “You’re cheating. You have to be!”

“I swear I’m not.”

“Let me see your cards.” Something was wrong. “Show me the palm of your hand.”

He stared at her through veiled eyes. “Now, why would I do that?”

“You are cheating!” She grabbed his hand, but he was so strong she couldn’t pry his fingers apart. Laughter rolled out of him despite her frustration. “You’re terrible!” She tried again and found her shoulder against his chest.

His free arm went around her and pulled her closer. “I lied,” he murmured near her ear. “I’m sorry, but you’re so much fun I couldn’t help myself.” He undid his other hand so she could see cards he’d kept hidden. “Forgive me?” he asked and released her.

She felt his warm breath on her cheek, increasing her desire for him. To her chagrin she didn’t want him to let her go.

Until you want to touch me so much you can’t stay away from me, I’ll keep my hands and mouth off you.

Valentina had been the one to start this intimate tug-of-war. She’d reached for his hand, not the other way around. Aware that she’d given herself away, she got up from the banquette. “It’s time to check on the children.”

Giovanni followed her below and they got ready for bed. Valentina looked down at them. “They’re so sweet. I never knew how much I would love being a mother.”

Giovanni lounged against the door. “I’m still reeling from the joy of fatherhood. I felt a deep sadness when Tatania told me she didn’t want anything to do with it once she’d had the baby. But neither she nor Matteo could have any comprehension of what they’re missing.”

She turned to him. “I’m not sorry for what we’re doing. We owe them everything we can do to give them the best start in life, even if the world says scathing things about us.”

“Your children have a warrior for a mother. It’s a privilege to know you, Valentina. Now let’s get in bed.”

His words stayed with her long after he’d wrapped his arms around her. Giovanni had a way of making her feel cherished. If she’d never met him, she would never have realized a man like him was out there in the cosmos. Twenty-eight thousand baby switches a year worldwide. What were the odds of it happening to her and Giovanni?

The next day they headed toward home. En route they went ashore at several places for a meal. Giovanni swam while she took pictures of him. By evening they’d cruised close to Ravello, but anchored near the pier to spend one more night on board. Once the babies were down, he turned on another Pavarotti track.

Valentina wanted to prolong this moonlit night because tomorrow he’d have to go to work. It wouldn’t just be the babies who would miss him. But he would always come home at the end of the day because he was a devoted father.

She lay down on her stomach on one of the banquettes. “Could we sleep up here tonight? It’s glorious out. We’ll keep the doors open to listen for the children.”

“You’re reading my mind.” He walked over and threw a light blanket over her. She watched him lie down on the banquette opposite her. They turned to each other, supporting their heads with their arms. “Have you ever gone camping?”

“No. Carlo used to go and I’d beg him to take me. He’d always say, ‘next time.’”

“Would it interest you to go with me?”

“I can’t think of anything I’d like more. We’d carry the babies on our backs in those fun-looking pouches. You’re talking a campfire and a tent, right?”

Giovanni sat up suddenly. In the darkness, the sight of his arresting features excited her to the core. “Where did you come from?” His voice sounded husky.

“I’ve been wondering the same thing about you.”

“Some of my happiest memories were out camping and fishing with my friends. I want to teach the boys to love the outdoors.”

“Whenever you want to go, I’m your man.”

A broad smile broke out on his handsome face. “What a man!”

She laughed.

“Being with you makes me want to become a house dad so we can do everything together.”

“That would work for about a week, then you’d need the stimulation of applying that amazing brain of yours to the business you love. My mother understood that about my father. She was a very smart woman.”

“You must miss her a lot.”

“Oh, I do. She would have loved Vito and teaching me how to be a good mother.”

“Trust me, Valentina. You already are because you’ve put his happiness before your own. That takes a very special person. If she were alive, she’d be tremendously proud of you.”

His praise caused her throat to swell. “I could say the same thing about your fatherly virtues, even if you do love business.”

“I love exploring new markets, but not the administrative duties.”

“Well, your company is depending on you to go on doing great things for them.”

“What about you?”

“I’ve made up my mind to take classes this winter semester to finish my degree.”

After a long silence, he said, “You can fly to Naples with me on the days you have classes. I’ll fly you home after.”

She raised herself up on one elbow. “Giovanni? You and I will be partners forever. But when I told you I’d live with you, I didn’t mean forever and neither did you. Once August is over, the boys will be better able to handle the separation. I’m planning to find an apartment in Naples near the university and put Vito in day care attached to the university. I’ll always want you to come by and bring Ric, but I need to make my own way.”

His brows furrowed. “If you’re thinking of doing this to protect my reputation, then forget it, Valentina.”

“Giovanni—this isn’t about you. It’s about me becoming independent. The women in the Montanari family don’t have careers. I’ll be the first.”

“You can do that. I’ll help you.”

“That’s the problem. I’ve been helped all my life. Now that I have a baby, I need to do this by myself.”

“How will you finance everything?”

“A student loan. If I’m careful, I can get through school. After that I’ll find a job and pay it back like thousands of other husbandless women do. You have no idea how much it would mean to me to make something of myself. Rini and Carlo have done it. So can I.”

“Your brothers got help, too. With your name being Montanari, the university won’t give you a loan.”

“You’re probably right, so I’ll apply under my mother’s maiden name.”

“That’s illegal. If you need a loan, I’ll give you one.”

She slid off the bench. “You’re a man in a million, Giovanni. I’ve always been given help, and now here you are offering to pay my expenses so I can finish school. As if I’d let you do that. I have to do this by myself, even if I have to get an entry-level job first and take another couple of years to get my degree. Please tell me you understand.”